AITKXDIX.] FISH-GUANO. 493 



and 35 perches), or 3 cwts. qx. 20 Ibs. per statute acre, of the fish- 

 powder, half in autumn and half in spring, as a top-dressing to 

 wheat. The results which he obtained were so evident that his 

 doubts were dissipated, his conviction became full and entire, and 

 he resolved to make every effort to discover a means of rendering 

 as economical as possible the manufacture of a manure equally 

 powerful, and which should advantageously compete with Peruvian 

 guano. 



" Having made his calculations, his ideas were at once directed 

 to Newfoundland, where the produce of the cod-fishery in a fresh 

 condition amounts to more than 1,400,000 tons annually. 



" The cod, previous to being salted and dried, is deprived of its 

 head, its intestines, and the backbone, which together make about 

 one-half of its total weight. This offal, which amounts to at least 

 700,000 tons, is thrown into the sea, or is lost without utility. 



"In 1850 M. de Molon fitted out a vessel, and confided his 

 project to one of his brothers, furnishing him with the utensils 

 necessary to experiment upon and manufacture the fish-powder. 

 The results of this voyage confirmed his anticipations, and M. de 

 Molon junior brought back to France a certain quantity of fish- 

 manure, which was found to be identical in composition with that 

 manufactured in France. 



"In 1851 M. de Molon junior again departed for Newfound- 

 land, taking with him all the means of manufacturing, the materials 

 necessary to construct a factory, and houses for one hundred and 

 fifty workmen, whom he also took with him ; finally, all the means 

 necessary to found a permanent establishment. He fixed himself 

 at Kerpon, at the extremity of the island, near the Strait of Belle- 

 isle, on a creek which was visited every year by a great number of 

 fishing vessels, and whose shores abound in fish. At present this 

 establishment is in regular work, and has, we believe, sent within 

 the last two or three months a considerable quantity of fish-manure 

 to France. 



" Whilst his younger brother was thus establishing himself in 

 Newfoundland, M. de Molon wished to have in France an estab- 

 lishment of the same kind placed immediately under his own eyes, 

 which would serve to perfect the process of manufacture, and offer 

 to all the practical confirmation of facts, the importance of which 



